"That's because I'm brilliant!" He took a leisure sip from his shake, a smug smile curving his lips. Ethan was adept in hacking and spy tech. He used to work in the government before trying to hack into The Pentagon's database, which led him into prison. And eventually, into Castor's family.
"But, your majesty?" Ethan waited for an acknowledgment before he continued, "Do you want to be in a sex scandal?”
"Why not?"
Ethan let out a horrified gasp. "What? The boss will kill me!"
Callista's nude lips curled into a cunning smile as she tilted her head. "Hmm?”
"Yep," Ethan mumbled. "I'm pretty sure I'm dead."
***
CHAPTER 16
Flickering colored lights surrounded the pool as night came. The hotel was bright enough, but the pool was gleaming from its own power source. People were swimming quietly though most were soaking at the Jacuzzi tub.
Callista had spotted Franco Castellano from her seat in the pool bar. Franco had an unbuttoned white shirt, the sleeves rolled to his elbows. His blond hair was darker, pushed to the back as his gold piercings glimmered. He had a cellphone to his other ear, lips moving fast.
She smiled, sliding off the seat and into the water. The water reached above her breast. Her eyes focused on the Castellano heir before she dived deep, swimming towards her target.
As she came up, the water sparkled on her golden skin. She flicked her inky tresses, running her fingers over them. Caly reached up at the pool's handle, leaving the pool with a loud rush. She stood straight, meeting a pair of wide icy blue eyes.
"If you would be so kind." Callista gestured her head at the folded robe on the glass table.
Franco's blinked back. His eyebrows wrinkled before he ended his call. He opened the lacy robe as Caly sauntered over to him with a sway to her hips. The girl inserted her lean arms on each side, feeling Franco's warm breath against her freezing skin. "What are you doing here, Miss Genovese?"
Callista carded through her locks, letting it rest on one shoulder. She faced Franco. "Can't I come here?"
"I thought we were done invading each other's personal lives," Franco replied. His rolled-up sleeves showcased the veins in his arms as he crossed it over his exposed muscular chest. Caly chased the gestures with gleaming eyes causing Franco to clear his throat. "My eyes are up here.”
Callista chuckled, "Can't even let me enjoy the view, huh?”
Franco's lips parted a mere millimeter before he coughed once, his frigid mask back in place. However, it was too late. Callista had zeroed in on his reaction, and it was perfect. "I'm busy. Do you need anything?"
"I do." Her thick eyelashes fluttered at him. "Something that'll help me forget."
"Sex?"
"Alcohol."
Their swords clashed, and Caly frowned. "What sex?”
"Alcohol?" he barked back.
"You want sex with me?" Callista insisted on the question with a frisky smirk.
"What? No! I was just suggesting—" Franco shut his eyes closed. When he opened them again, his blue irises teemed with wrath. "Stop messing with my head, Callista.”
Caly smirked. "Which head?”
Franco's jaw tightened, his face muscles moving like soft waves. He growled, stepping in her direction that Caly stepped back without hesitation.
"Wait." Franco reached out to catch her, but it was futile as they fell into the pool with a huge splash.
Franco's muscled arm was around her waist as they burst from the water. She blinked at him, bewilderment crackling at her face. "Are you okay? You didn't have to do that."
Franco let go of her. He ran his fingers through his golden hair, droplets of water clinging to his skin. The drops slid off from his thick lashes, on the bridge of his nose, and towards his shaped lips. His gold hoop earring glittered on his ear as his ocean eyes focused on her.
Caly was mesmerized at sight. He was the perfect mix between angel and god. Too godly to be an angel. Too angelic to be a god. An archangel.
"You're a disaster. I told you to stay away from me," Franco exclaimed, peeling the wet shirt off his body and throwing his phone to the side. "Now, you're gonna stay quiet?"
"I didn't ask you to jump with me." Callista splashed him in ire. A haughty laugh bubbling from her throat. "You forget you don't have wings?"
"Stop it!" Franco scowled, shielding his face. "Callista, stop it!" He caught her wrist, tugging her to his chest. Caly raised her eyes to meet his, her breath hitching at their proximity. Franco remained aloof despite his next words. "Let's go to my room."
"W-what?" she stuttered.
"I have what you want."
~~~~
One part of the hotel's rooftop was exclusively owned by the Castellano heir. His room opened to the view of the beach below. Couches and bean bags littered the balcony space along with a small pool. A bar was at the corner, and Callista had no doubt that several parties had been held here.
She sat at the edge of the pool, her legs soaked in the water. Her crimson toenails were a blatant contrast with the light blue of the pool. She swiveled her head as the glass door creaked open.
Franco trotted to her with two glasses and a bottle of wine. He sat beside her and poured the red liquid. "Here."
Caly accepted. She swirled the drink. She had taunted Franco, hoping it would turn to flirt. But she did hear from Mallorie about Castle's rare alcohol. Callista took a small sip. "Is this Italian Amarone?"
"You know your wine." Franco drank from his own glass. "But, you're wrong."
"It tastes the same." Her head tilted playfully. "And I'm rarely wrong."
"Is that so?" Franco had a rare glint on his usually calm eyes. "But I made that on my own. I wanted a higher alcohol content without fortifying it. I experimented with the method, even the barrels. It's been years, but it's still at 14% ABV."
Callista was already feeling the kick after her third sip. "I see. Don't you think it depends on the grapes? No matter how long the fermentation process is, the sugar is still the same. I'd like to think it would depend on the soil of the vineyard."
Franco's lips curled into a smirk. "You know a lot."
"Oh, caro. I'm not Italian by blood alone," Caly answered in a sultry voice. The wine was getting to her head. "So, are you close to your goal?"
"I don't know. Father is more focused on his own creation. I doubt I could continue doing this. Though I'm pretty proud of this already." Franco cleared his throat as he realized his words. Caly only smiled as she picked up her empty glass. "Are you sure?"
"What? I like it." Callista licked her lips as Franco refilled the glass. "If it makes you happy, you should do it."
Franco set the bottle, turning his body to face Callista. "You think so?"
"Where's this uncertainty coming from?" The Genovese heiress set her glass down, moving closer to the man. She could see him swallow even with the buzz on her ears. "You've always been confident. And honestly, passion is the only thing you need to continue."
"Passion?" Franco echoed, a frown marring his angelic features.
"Like this," Caly answered before she pressed her lips to his. Her hand cupped his jaw, the other one digging into his hair. Franco's groan resonated in the air before his hands snaked around her slender hips. He pulled her closer, his tongue entering the cavern of her mouth. He tasted sweet like grapes with a spoonful of sugar.
Franco sucked on her lower lip, making heat bloomed on her stomach. Her skin sizzled, lust filling her every pore. She pulled away, peering into a pair of fervid sapphire eyes. "Uhm, should we continue?"
Franco's fingers brushed through her wet raven locks. Lips were swollen from the kiss. "Fuck, yes.”
Caly smirked as Franco surged up to kiss her again. She sat on his lap, half their legs swaying in the water. Caly's fingers pushed his shirt downwards, revealing his toned arms. Franco let her, his own searing hands roaming around her smooth skin before cupping a breast.
Callista moaned, breaking their kiss as h
er lips licked at the line of his jaw. She nipped at his earlobe, kissing down to his pulse, earning a growl from the man beneath her. His fingers dig into her thighs, his hips thrusting at her. "Fuck!"
She smiled before her teeth bit into his porcelain skin. One of Franco's hands yanked at her tresses as she made her mark, soothing the pain with her warm tongue. His sugary scent assaulted her senses, mind fading from ecstasy. She wanted to devour him.
"What the!" Delilah's croaking voice broke the spell. Callista turned, seeing Delilah's eyes registered with shock. "Caly? Wha—" She didn't finish her statement as she ran.
Callista got off from Franco's lap, who remained stoic despite his uneven breaths. She crossed her legs, pouring another glass of wine. "You should chase her."
Franco's blue eyes sharpened in her direction. His lips were tight before he cussed and got up, disappearing towards the elevator's direction.
Caly set her glass with trembling fingers. She almost lost herself. She almost lost. Her feet kicked at the water. "Cazzo!"
***
CHAPTER 17
Delilah Gallo wiped at her tears. She sniffed, walking briskly as she stepped out of the elevator. Witnessing Callista and Franco crushed her, hoping heart. They had looked so good together.
"Delilah!" Franco's sleek voice vibrated in the empty hallway.
She huffed indignantly, snubbing his repeated calls.
"Delilah!" Franco seized her elbow, her body spun towards his. "What's your problem?”
"What? Don't you know?" she screamed with a high-pitched voice. She almost cackled at his faux surprise. "Why did it have to be her?"
"I don't understand. You know what we are!" Franco snarled. His sapphire eyes blown wide as agitated words dripped from his swollen lips. "Are you jealous?”
Delilah bit at her quivering lips, ruining her perfect MAC lipstick. She took in Franco's appearance. Blond tousled hair with crimson love bites on his neck. They never even got to that point. Her voice shattered, tears burning at the edge of her eyes. "I know that. I know I can't be jealous, but there are hundreds of women out there. Why did it have to be Callista Genovese?”
Delilah's move to New York had been unwelcome. She had followed her father's orders to the point of getting engaged to a man she barely knew. She had been scared out of her mind, but Callista's invitation was a beacon of light through the stormy clouds.
At first, she had been wary. Callista was a queen, both in blood and actions. But she lowered her guard after seeing her with Castor Luciano. The two of them oozed with scorching chemistry. She had thought Caly wouldn't be interested in Franco if her silver eyes were stalking Castor's every move.
She was wrong.
Delilah had trusted her, but she fell into Callista's trap. She didn't even see it coming.
Franco threaded his fingers through his golden locks. His jaw clenched and unclenched. "What do you want from me?"
"Do you like her?" Delilah asked. Her breath ceased as he waited for his reply. "Answer me!"
"Yes." Franco declared. "I liked her ever since we were in high school.”
Delilah wept, hot tears flowing on her cheeks. All the things she did and all the things she wanted to do. It wouldn't make a difference because his heart had been set for another.
She never had a chance.
"Delilah..." Franco whispered, closing the space between them. His glacial blue irises mellowed at the sight of the woman's tears. "I'm sorry."
The Gallo heiress clamped her fingers against her lacy nightgown. Somehow, his apology increased the ache in her heart. Her hand flew to his cheek without warning. She sniffed, soothing the pain in her throat. "Shut up!"
Franco clicked his tongue as his azure eyes fixed on her. "Are you breaking up with me?"
"Yes!" She all but screamed. Her tears continued despite the steel on her words. "Let's stop this.”
"Alright," he muttered in apathy.
Delilah's torn heart broke into a thousand pieces. His detachment caused another wave of tears to roll down from her eyes. She slapped him again. "You're so heartless!"
Franco scoffed, a thumb caressing his stinging cheek. "Stop acting like a saint, Delilah." He inserted his hands on the pockets of his dark blue shorts. "You and I have nothing to cry about. If you got attached, that's not my fault anymore.”
Franco wasn't finished. "Do you know why I like Callista?" His blue eyes shimmered as he spoke in pure adoration. "It's because she's always been independent. She didn't need someone to tell her what to do. Not even Castor Luciano. Unlike you. You're too good at listening, aren't you?”
Her fuming retaliation died as Franco turned his back.
"W-wait..." Delilah wanted to move, but her knees were jelly.
She felt pathetic. Unloved. Undesirable. Unwanted.
She didn't know what to do.
So she cried.
~~~~
Callista Genovese scrolled through her Twitter feed as the video of Franco and Delilah's breakup became a trending topic. There was no sound, but Delilah's tears and the slaps Franco received were enough indications for drama.
Besides, the netizens had already made a hundred speculations over the matter. She didn't need to do anything. She's certain, though, that with Delilah's fall, her mission was also over.
Caly leaned back, her midnight hair flowing against the loveseat's armrest in silky waves. She had asked Ethan to edit the part where she had kissed Franco. Not only for her reputation but her peace of mind as well.
She never wanted to remember how Franco smelled or how his soft lips touched hers. Or how he tasted—1
"No!" She groaned, burying her face against the sofa's leathery skin. Caly wasn't a novice when it came to being a pretender. But she wasn't heartless.
No matter how great she was at compartmentalizing, some emotions managed to seep out. Contrition was the most prevalent. The desire was second. The third and most dangerous was love.
"Caly?"
Caesar Genovese's voice cut through Caly's musings. She bolted up, seeing her father enter the Venetian foyer. "Daddy, you're early."
"Yes." Caesar began removing his cufflinks, unraveling his tie. "Thankfully, the city hall has only two complaints this time."
"Two?" Callista kissed her father's cheek as they sat at the dining table. They rarely had dinner together that Callista appreciated every one they managed to have. "Mayor Johnson lost his touch."
"I'm glad he did." The older man's grey eyes swept over Caly's face. "And how about you? You seem happy."
"I've finished the task you've given me." Caly beamed, pushing the guilt far, far away. "Do I deserve a reward?"
"That's great. Do you want something?"
Callista pursed her lips. All she wanted was to be in Franco's arms again. The archangel engulfed her mind, and she feared it would reach her heart. She needed a distraction. "Dad, do you remember that boy who was kidnapped with me? Any news?”
"Caly, I told you that there was no blotter report of kidnapping other than yours," Caesar explained as a matter of fact. He paused for a moment as the maids placed several dishes on the table. "That boy might be dead.”
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